The Qualifications You Need To Homeschool Your Child

Homeschooling is a great option for many families. If you have made the decision to homeschool your child, you are likely interested in learning what qualifications you need to start homeschooling. Unfortunately, there is not a concrete answer to that question. Many factors go into homeschooling qualifications, including state requirements and parental requirements. We put together this guide to help you determine what you need to homeschool your child, so keep reading.

State Qualifications

The qualifications you need to homeschool your child depend on the state you live in. Some states have no notice required, so you can basically homeschool your kids without notifying the state. These states include Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Alaska. The remaining states are classified as low, moderate, and high regulation. Most of these states require you to file a notice of intent with the superintendent of your local school district. For some states, this is a one-time notice, whereas other states require an annual notice of intent. Some states also require that you submit a detailed plan that includes the curriculum and textbooks you plan to use. It is essential that you check the specific requirements for your state before starting the school year.

Parent Qualifications

Again, the parental qualifications you need to homeschool your child depend on the state you are homeschooling in. There are some states that do not have any required teaching qualifications. These states include Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Alaska. Many of the states that are considered low or moderate regulation also do not have required teaching qualifications. In fact, there are no teacher qualifications in states with high regulation either. However, if you live in a high regulation state, you should investigate the various curriculum qualifications. High regulation states include Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

Testing Qualifications

Lastly, you should consider the testing requirements in your state. Some states require annual testing, whereas others do not. Testing is essential to your child’s academic growth, so you should test your child regardless of your state’s requirements. The MAP growth test is a great option for testing students because it is online and untimed. Homeschool Boss is a great resource for homeschooling and testing your child, so check out our website and let us know if you have any questions.